This year, the standard has been the highest since IDHAS began six and a half years ago. Narrowing things down to this 100 as been really difficult. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.
A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended.
No 31 : The Bye Bye Blackbirds - August Lightning Complex IDHAS Review
No 32 : Emperor Penguin - Sunday Carvery IDHAS Review
Regular readers will know of IDHAS's love of Michael Collins's The Summer Holiday. The man has a way with a song that can be compared to Roddy Frame and Ian Broudie. Everything he offers up is simply poptastic.
I am personally convinced that all that is needed for The Summer Holiday need is a big push and more places to buy the album and I know that is on the way. So The Summer Holiday so far now reaches, Acqua, the third album.
It will surprise followers thus far that the album is a melody-fest. Hooks are everywhere and anywhere. Virtually everything is built around these hooks, they are upfront and 30 seconds you are in. Big choruses match Collins's laidback soothing vocal.
There is so much to enjoy here. Bad Luck has a killer riff, it just races along. Forest Hills is Modern Pop at its finest and Summertime In New York could be the best thing that Gilbert O'Sullivan didn't write. Mine Mine sounds like something off the Electric Dreams Soundtrack.
The King Is Dead is the big Pop Rock number with a big Guitar Solo in the kitchen sink production. All For Love is all happy clappy, My Kind is all Bossa Nova, very 70s and Subway Dreams is the best chorus here and the competition is stiff.
The chance to catch up will soon be live with website, physical and Bandcamp downloads available. Acqua is the sound of a man at the top of his game.I can't think of anyone making better Pop albums currently. Highly Recommended!
You can listen to and buy the album here. You can also listen to the full album here.
It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a List person, I just think what's the point?
However, for the last few years I have compiled annual Best Of 's because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.
There are few rules. All albums have to have been reviewed on IDHAS. Reissues and Live Albums are not included. Previously unreleased albums are included, but Best Of's are not. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.
No 41 : Caddy - Detours And Dead Ends Vol. 1 IDHAS Review
No 42 : The Summer Holiday - B-Sides Volume 1 IDHAS Review
No 43 : Dolph Chaney - This Is Dolph Chaney IDHAS Review
No 44 : This Circus Life - The Vast And Endless Sea IDHAS Review
No 45 : Real Sickies - Love Is For Lovers IDHAS Review
No 46 : Empty City Squares - The Disappearing Architect IDHAS Review
No 47 : The Mono LPs - Shuffle / Play IDHAS Review
No 48 : Cheap Trick - In Another World IDHAS Review
No 49 : the black watch - Here & There IDHAS Review
No 50 :Portable Radio - Portable Radio IDHAS Review
A strange review this for a wonderful Pop album. I have little information on it, other than it is a follow up to last year's Come Out, Come Out. Apparently Michael Collins is behind it, but it isn't the Michael Collins that I know of.
I reached out on Social Media without success and friend requested a likely candidate without reply. So all I can do until I can find out more, I can only tell you how Poptastic it is. Power Poppers will love it, particularly What Happens When You Lose which is so damn catchy.
Your Secret Is Safe is a much more straight ahead ballad, almost Top 40, Fake Mozart is pure Bubblegum and The Day The Sun Shines On Me is very much in Nick Frater territory. Circles could even be a prime time Guy Chambers song.
Annie In The Shadows is from the same template that Power Pop forums have been raving about for years. Indeed all 9 songs are tip top. A real melodic chorus joy of an album and if these songs are actually B Sides, imagine how good the A Sides are. It is certainly in my "More Info Needed" file.
You can listen to the album on You Tube here. It is all available to listen to on Streaming Sites here. Also available to buy on the odd one of those.
